DeKalb Election Commission Seeking More Poll Workers for March 5 Primaries

January 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes is calling on residents willing to serve as poll workers for the March 5 DeKalb County Republican and Democratic Primaries and the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary.

Sample Ballot

DeKalb County needs approximately 70 to 75 poll workers each election. “We need people of DeKalb County to step up and help out,” Estes said. “If you are looking for temporary work, we need your help.”

Those who have been long-time workers, who have not been contacted and would still like to work again this year are asked to call the local election office to report if they wish to work in March, and potential new workers who wish to join the list are encouraged to do the same. The phone number is 615-597-4146. Current or interested workers may also email the office at dekalb.commission@tn.gov.

The election office will provide training for all poll workers before the election.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A POLL WORKER?

Poll workers conduct assigned duties at a polling site on Election Day (and early voting). Duties can include processing voters, monitoring the voting equipment, or include a greeter who assists with answering questions and directing voters to the voting areas.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF WORK?
Polling places on Election Day open at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally, the hours are 7a.m. (to get the polls ready for opening) until about 7:30 at night or possibly later in the case of the November election.

ARE POLL WORKERS PAID OR VOLUNTEER?
Poll workers are compensated for working and are compensated for attending training sessions.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A POLL WORKER?
To be a poll worker, a person must:
• Be a registered voter
• Be able to read and write in the English language
• Not be a candidate
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Not work directly under the supervision of a county or municipal elected official who is on the ballot
• Not be a close relative of a candidate. Close relatives are defined as the spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate.

HOW DO I BECOME A POLL WORKER?
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, you should apply by contacting the DeKalb County Election Office at 615-597-4146 or by email at dekalb.commission@tn.gov. A postal mail request can also be accepted. The mailing address is: DeKalb Election Commission, P.O. Box 549, Smithville, TN 37166

Poll officials are appointed at the county level by the Election Commission and those selected will be notified by letter at the appropriate time.

If you plan to vote in the March 5 DeKalb County Republican and Democratic Primaries and the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary you have less than a month to make sure you are properly registered.

The voter registration deadline for the March 5th primaries is February 5.

Voters who have moved within DeKalb County or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com or call the DeKalb County election office at 615-597-4146. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.

Sample Ballot

January 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

A 30-year-old man lost his life in a single vehicle crash this morning (Wednesday) on Highway 146 (Short Mountain Highway).

Dead is Thomas Claston Beltz

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Beltz was traveling south on Highway 146 in a 2017 Ford F150 when he failed to negotiate a curve and overcorrected. The vehicle went off the right side of the roadway striking a utility pole before overturning and then coming to a final rest. Beltz was not wearing his seatbelt

The crash was reported around 1:38 a.m.

January 10, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers bounced back from last Friday night’s loss to White County with a 72 to 62 overtime win over Cumberland County Tuesday night in Smithville but the Lady Tigers lost to the Lady Jets 54 to 42.

The Tigers improve to 10-9 and 1-1 in the district while the Lady Tigers drop to 9-10 (0-2).

The Tigers trailed the Jets 14 to 13 after the 1st period but grabbed a 29 to 21 lead at halftime. DC held a 43 to 38 advantage after the 3rd period but the game was tied at 58 by the end of regulation. In the overtime period, the Tigers outscored the Jets 14 to 4 to claim a 72 to 62 victory.

Conner Close pumped in 35 points for the Tigers followed by Jon Hendrix with 17, Dallas Kirby 10, Seth Fuson 5, Alex Antoniak and Kaleb Spears each with 2, and Ian Colwell with 1 point.

The Lady Tigers trailed Cumberland County 9 to 4 after the 1st period, 24 to 14 at halftime, and 43 to 26 after the 3rd period before falling 54 to 42.

Ella VanVranken scored 17 followed by Avery Agee with 12, Tess Barton and Cam Branin each with 4, Chloe VanVranken 3, and Allie Melton with 2.

DeKalb County will travel to Baxter Friday night, January 12 to take on Upperman starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest. WJLE will broadcast both games LIVE.

2024 DCHS Tigers and Lady Tigers Basketball Schedule

*District – 7AAA Games
Date -Time -Opponent- Home/Away

JANUARY
Fri. 1/12-6:00pm-Upperman*- Away • District
Tue, 1/16-6:00pm-Livingston Academy*-Away • District
Fri, 1/19-6:00pm-Stone Memorial*-Home • District
Mon. 1/22-6:00 pm- Warren County-Away• Non-District
Tues. 1/23-(OPEN DATE-District Make Up Day)
Fri. 1/26-6:00pm-White County*-Away • District
Tues, 1/30-6:00pm-Cumberland County*-Away • District

FEBRUARY
Fri. 2/2-6:00pm-Upperman*-Home • District
Mon, 2/5-6:00pm-Livingston Academy*-Home • District
Thurs. 2/8- 6:00 pm-Stone Memorial*-Away • District
Mon. 2/12- 2/17- District Tournament-TBA

*District 7AAA Games. Game time listed is the start of the girls contest. Boys contest to follow